Charles Brown

1922

1944

After working as a government chemist in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Berkeley, California, Charles Brown moves to Los Angeles, where he becomes a member of Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers.

1946

“Driftin’ Blues,” by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers, enters the R&B chart. Written and sung by Charles Brown, the song rises to #2 and remains on the R&B chart for half a year. A significant milestone of the early postwar blues, it receives ‘Cashbox’ magazine’s award for R&B record of the year.

1949

Charles Brown hits #4 on the R&B chart with “In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down”.

1949

The Charles Brown Trio releases three singles on Aladdin Records

1949

Charles Brown’s first solo single, “Get Yourself Another Fool,” is released on Aladdin Records. It reaches #4 on the R&B chart.

1949

“Trouble Blues” by Charles Brown enters the R&B charts, which it tops for 15 weeks.

1951

Charles Brown hits #2 on the R&B chart with “Seven Long Days” and #1 on the R&B chart with “Black Night.” Both singles are released on Aladdin records.

1951

“Black Night” enters the R&B charts, which it tops for 14 weeks. Over a two-year period, Charles Brown’s two biggest hits occupied the #1 spot for a combined 29 weeks—a phenomenal feat.

1960

“Please Come Home for Christmas” is Charles Brown’s last hit (#21 R&B, #76 pop). The Eagles’ cover version becomes a Christmastime hit again in 1978, reaching #18.

1983

A renewal of interest in Charles Brown is triggered by a regular stand of dates at Tramps, a New York club.

1986

One More for the Road, an album of jazz by Charles Brown, blues and pop standards, appears on Blue Side Records. Three years later, it is reissued on Alligator Records.

1990

Charles Brown gains exposure to a younger generation of listeners as Bonnie Raitt’s opening act on a national tour.